After the authorities of Prahova County found out that the saturation of hydrogen sulfide in the atmosphere significantly exceeds allowed levels, Lukoil Petrotel refinery was fined with 20,000 euros.
The authorities informed the National Environmental Guard to investigate the strong odour reported in the city of Ploiesti and its vicinity and check if air pollution limits were exceeded. The investigation found that hydrogen sulfide emissions were significantly above the limits.
The local unit of the National Environmental Guard checked all the emission monitoring stations, belonging to the refineries in Ploiesti and found that at the station monitoring in the Laguna area, which belongs to Lukoil Petrotel, the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) indicator was exceeded between 06:30 and 07:00.
According to the statement from the Environmental Guard, Lukoil Petrotel has an ongoing project for the construction of RS3 sulfur recovery complex, and it began the transfer of gas from the DGRS (gas desulfurization and sulfur recovery) installation from the old chimney to the new one. During the operation, for a period of about 30 minutes, the gases were directed to the torch. Due to the dispersion conditions, the recorded value of the H2S indicator was of 218.04 ug/m3, compared to the allowed limit value of 15 ug/m3. Immediate emission reduction measures were taken by shutting down the HPM (Petroleum-Diesel Hydrofining), Coking and Catalytic Cracking plants. According to the data on the monitored stations, the registered values returned below the allowed limit values by 10:00.
